2012 Detroit Auto Show: BMW i8

The BMW i8 continues its world tour and today landed in Detroit where the hybrid sportscar was the centerpiece at the BMW display. According to …

The BMW i8 continues its world tour and today landed in Detroit where the hybrid sportscar was the centerpiece at the BMW display. According to the company, the i8 will set a benchmark in the performance segment.

The hybrid produces 349 horsepower and has an overall weight of 1480kg, the equivalent to a power-to-weight ratio of 236 horsepower per 1000 kilograms. BMW says the i8 runs 0 to 62 mph in just 4.6 seconds and a has a fuel consumption of 80 mpg.

The i8 Concept combines the advantages of two different drive systems – an electric motor and an internal combustion engine. The electric motor is not a secondary power source, but rather an equal partner of the internal combustion engine. Initially revealed with a diesel engine, the major change for production models is a new 1.5 liter petrol engine. The engine is mounted at the rear and drives via a dual-clutch gearbox.

BMW i8 measures 4632mm in length, 1955mm in width and 1280mm in height, comparable to the 3 Series coupe in dimensions.

BMW will launch the i8 in 2014 and the rumormill says the price point will be above $150,000.

Acura chose Detroit to unveil it’s mid-engined hybrid NSX sports car. The car is slated to be built in Ohio and features the super hybrid …

Mateo

funny, you’ll be (let’s imagine you have 150k) in amazing looking car and be beaten by family of 5 ina a M5 lol

LaMa

ON A SHORT DRIVE. then the M5 stops for gas. The i8 passes, then the M5 goes and passes the M5 again, then stops for gas. etc etc.

different cars for different markets and for different reasons.

my only complaint is that the actual car will look sooo different that its an entirely new car.
looks dull and boring compare to the concept. Elements that made the concept interesting are dropped due to production ready version.
BMW said its a 90% production ready car, but what they forgot to tell is that the 10% they will change is in the outside sheetmetal.